DIRT SKINS COVERS
| Dirt Skins’s Shock and |
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present in the aftermarket accessory line up for many years. Shock covers have proven to be a common product to the consumer in order to preserve both the function and appearance of their ATV’s suspension system. The intended purpose of shock covers is to prevent mud and debris form trails or another ATV’s roost from entering inside the shocks coils. This would create wear and tear to the shock from the constant friction caused by the
continuous movement of the shock at work. On the other hand,shock covers have been added to an ATV to accent the color scheme of the machine to obtain a more attractive look. Shock covers have commonly been fabricated from a nylon material which has a downfall that is mentioned later in this article. A company called DIRT SKINS has recently created a shock cover made out of neoprene that has proven to be much more effective in the protection of the ATV’s shocks, especially the more expensive aftermarket models. Dirt Skins makes a variety of products for ATVs and motorcycles designed to both protect and dress up the machines. Their ATV 
shock covers are constructed from 2mm thick neoprene fabric with a Velcro closure. The Velcro closure provides for the hassle free ease of installation and removal of the covers for both cleaning and shock maintenance purposes. The Dirt Skins covers come in a varied array of colors to select from; blue, red, black, yellow, purple, or Real Tree camouflage. We were informed that green will be a color choice in the near future. Having this large of a selection of colors to choose from, allows the consumer to match their ATV’s plastic
color or accent a blended color scheme to set apart their ATV from an OEM appearance. Many aftermarket shock cover fabricators only have their product available in OEM lengths. Dirt Skins not only creates covers for standard shock lengths, but custom covers can be ordered to fit a set of aftermarket shocks with the same large color selections still available. In order to get the proper fitting of an aftermarket sized cover, simply measure the 
length from the top to the bottom of the shock coil, and the circumference around the outside of the coil with a tailor’s tape for both the front and rear shocks. Currently, Dirt Skins only fabricates the covers for sport and performance ATVs, which retail at .95 for the three piece set, but they are in the process of developing a line of their products for utility ATVs.
guards also featured in this article come in a set of four to cover the front portion of both the upper and lower A-arms. This section of your ATV’s A-arms is a high contact point for trail rocks, trees, brush, or other ATV roost which will cause paint chipping and eventually rust to you A-arms. Like the
shock covers, the A-arm and bumper/grab-bar covers are also created from a 2mm thick neoprene with a Velcro closure system and provide the same contoured stretch fit and installation assets. The color choices do not vary for the A-arm and grab-bar covers, it remains the same selection as the shock covers color options mentioned above. The set of four A-arm covers retail for .99, the combo bumper/grab-bar pack sell for .99, and the nosepiece bra retails only at .99. The Velcro closure and stretchy, contoured design of the Dirt
Skins shock covers allowed us to install and remove the covers without a hassle. We found that the neoprene fabric did a better job at repelling water and mud from entering the shocks coils as compared to the nylon covers. Not only does the neoprene keep your shocks cleaner and drier, but it also aids in keeping 
your shocks looking new. The thinner more porous nylon covers allow larger particles of dirt to enter and hold it inside the covers wearing the paint off the coils and prematurely causing mechanical wear and tear to the shocks. Like the shock covers the A-arm covers also help keep your ATV in better cosmetic appearance.
The neoprene covers not only repel dirt and moisture, but they provide some cushion when abrasive obstacles come into contact with these areas that usually result as a victim of paint chips. This is especially true for racing, when hitting the throttle hard while ATVs are in very close range of each other, resulting in lots of roosting. Having your ATV outfitted with these Dirt Skins covers is an excellent way to keep your ATV’s A-arms, bumper, nose piece,and shocks protected from roost and looking and performing like new.